Arsenal star Hector Bellerin is out for the rest of the season - and could even miss the beginning of NEXT campaign - after rupturing his cruciate knee ligament.

The Spanish right-back was forced off with a horror injury in the Gunners' 2-0 victory over London rivals Chelsea at the Emirates this Saturday.

Bellerin only recently returned to first team action for Arsenal in their defeat by West Ham last week, following a month-long lay off with a calf complaint.

The speedy defender looked to be getting back into the swing of things, and even created one of the goals against Maurizio Sarri's Blues, before coming off the pitch on a stretcher after collapsing in pain.

Hector Bellerin is out for the rest of the season (Image: Action Images via Reuters)

Arsenal will be without Bellerin for the rest of the season at the very least due to the extent of his knee injury, report The Guardian.

Unai Emery admitted the injury appeared to be a bad one after the game, and hinted at Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Stephan Lichtsteiner covering the Spaniard.

Bringing in a new right-back appears out of the question due to Arsenal's lack of funds.